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SYDNEY — John O'Neill will remain in charge of the Australian Rugby Union until at least the end of 2013 following a contract extension, the ARU said on Monday.
O'Neill, 59, will stay on as ARU Managing Director and CEO in a period which will incorporate the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in two years' time.
"John is a great sports administrator with a proven track record. It?s as simple as that in terms of asking him to stay beyond his existing agreement which ran through to the middle of next year," ARU Chairman Peter McGrath said in a statement.
"He?s the best man for the job as ARU looks to take advantage of some wonderful opportunities, including the British and Irish Lions tour here in 2013."
McGrath said since O'Neill's second stint in charge of the ARU he has overseen the transformation of Super Rugby and with it the introduction of a fifth Australian team, the Melbourne Rebels.
O?Neill said he was optimistic about rugby's future and there was unfinished business in his decision to stay in his post.
"We have mapped out the pathway, the strategic vision is there, we are making progress and I would like to continue delivering on our plans to reinvigorate Australian Rugby," he said.
O?Neill initially joined ARU in October 1995 and presided over Australia?s sole hosting of the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the British and Irish Lions tour in 2001 before joining Football Federation Australia in 2004.
During his time at the FFA, the A-League was born, Australia joined the Asian Foootball Confederation and the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals for the first time in 32 years.
In 2007 O'Neill was invited to return to Australian Rugby Union by the ARU Board and accepted a five-year contract.
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